Two teams from the Old Bristolians' rugby club are looking for your support as they get set to take on the CLIC Sargent 24seven Challenge, in memory of their friend and fellow Old Bristolian, Robbie Stuart, who sadly passed away last November.
The 'Old Bristolians' team, which includes Gavin Hooper from Bishopston, Ed Yarker from Bath and Ben Morris from Brislington will be challenged by the 'Arrows Ski Display Team'; also part of the rugby club.
The Arrows Ski Display Team, named so because of the ski club within the rugby club, is made up of Mark Johnston, Dan Grzonka and Oliver Ladbrooke, all from Bristol. After hearing about 24seven Challenge from the other team, they have also agreed to enter and help to raise money for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent, which was a cause very close to Robbie.
Robbie was just 28 years old when he died after a brave year-long battle with leukaemia. He lived and breathed rugby as captain of the Old Bristolian second team and was the break-dancing Brizzley Bear mascot for Bristol RFC.
While Robbie was battling leukaemia he wanted to do as much as possible to help other young people in a similar situation and decided to start raising money for CLIC Sargent. The charity provides clinical, practical and emotional support for children and young people with cancer, and their families, when the unthinkable happens. Their nurses and social workers are there every step of the way through the cancer journey. In the year before he passed away Robbie raised over £26,000 for the charity which is enough to fund a CLIC Sargent Play Specialist for a year - they use toys, pictures and photos to help explain to children what will happen to them during their treatment and to help them overcome their fears.
The entire Old Bristolians club was determined to continue Robbie's rugby legacy and raise funds for the charity. They have organised and taken part in activities including a bike ride through China, extreme fitness workouts and dragon boat riding - all activities which will stand them in good stead to take on the 24seven Challenge.
Dan Grzonka, from the Arrows Ski Display Team, has been a member of the club for 10 years now and used to play in the second team that Robbie captained, along with Mark and Oliver. He said, "We wanted to do something really different this year to raise money in Robbie's name and keep the energy going. None of us have done anything like an adventure race before but we are used to working as a team and have been training together so we should do ok."
When asked about team rivalry with the Old Bristolians Dan said, "If I am honest, as they are first team players, they are probably quite a bit fitter than us but on the day we will be giving it our all and it will be head to head competition! It will be interesting to see how we both do. The thing that sticks out to me about Robbie the most is that he never gave up - he was an inspiration to us all so even if we need to drag each other over the finish line we are going to beat the course!" Taking place on the banks of Lake Windermere in the Lake District on 10/11 October, the 24seven Challenge comprises seven different physical and mental challenges completed over 24 hours. Teams will cover a marathon distance (26.2 miles) by foot, bike and canoe, as well as encountering many surprising mental tasks along the way. But this is all they know about the event so far as 24seven is shrouded in a veil of mystery up until just before the entrants set off. The 24seven concept is representative of the all round care and support that CLIC Sargent provides for families affected by childhood cancer. Dan said, "We really like the fact that there are mental challenges as well as physical, and there are things to do in the evening - it suits us better than a purely fitness focused event. Sport is not just physical enjoyment for us and there is obviously an even bigger goal for us - to raise as much money for CLIC Sargent as possible. "Our goal is something that the whole club feels. There were 100's of rugby players at his funeral - the sport and the charity were so close to his heart and we want that to continue through the things we do." Last year's event raised over £40,000 for CLIC Sargent and the Old Bristolians teams are keen to help add to that total this year. As money is donated, teams are rewarded with clues and items of equipment which will help them on event day. Everyone can keep track of how well they are doing on their interactive webpages at www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk/oldbristolians and www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk/obsrfcarrows Dan commented, "We are really looking forward to taking part in 24seven Challenge and are holding a sponsored crazy golf day to help raise more money for the charity, which will enable us to set off on the day with all the clues and equipment we need to do our best. I must warn you though that we are famous for our fancy dress antics so watch out for three big lads dressed as... who knows what actually!? Robbie always loved fancy dress and even asked everybody to turn up to his funeral in full fancy dress costume." Beverley Mackenzie, Challenge Events Manager for CLIC Sargent said: "Last year's event was fantastic! Everyone involved had such fun and achieved a great deal of satisfaction from completing - or should I say surviving - the weekend. I just know that this year is going to be even bigger and better!" She continued, "We've changed the challenges and the location and we hope to have lots more people from different walks of life taking part. It's great to see teams like The Old Bristolians and the Arrows Ski Display Team entering. "The most important challenge is to raise as much money as possible to help families whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer. Every penny raised really can make a big difference." The venue is ready, the date is set and the goal is clear - raising money for children and young people with cancer, and their families. Entries are still open, so make sure you secure your place by visiting www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk today or call 0845 602 7315. October 10th/11th is THE must do weekend of 2009.
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